Last week, United Way kicked-off our 22nd annual Koko Challenge at a gathering of law and community leaders hosted by Squire, Sanders & Dempsey. The Koko Challenge is a fundraising contest among local law firms that run United Way fundraising campaigns. The firms compete for top honors by excelling in total dollars raised, innovation and enthusiasm. Scroll down to see a photo slide show of the kick-off festivities.
The theme of this year’s United Way campaign, “Change the Odds,” is a call to action to Bay Area residents to join us in pursuit of our goal to cut in half the number of local families who live in poverty by the year 2020. Currently, one in five families in our region does not earn enough to cover its basic needs, according to United Way’s “Making Ends Meet in the Bay Area” report.
Jay Price, who is chair of the 2010/11 Koko Cabinet, announced the fundraising goal of $1.5 million this year from the 21 participating law firms. Last year, 18 participating firms raised $1.4 million for charitable causes, setting a standard of excellence in philanthropy for the business community.
The Koko Cabinet is comprised of general counsel from United Way’s corporate partners and leaders within bay area law firms. Cabinet members recruit new law firms, lead volunteer efforts and provide support to all participating firms.
2010/2011 United Way Koko Cabinet
- Jay Price, Bank of America – Chair
- Michelle Banks, Gap Inc. – Vice Chair
- Hewitt Pate, Chevron Corporation
- James Potter, Del Monte Foods
- David Hearth, Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP
- Vanessa Washington, Bank of the West
- Charles Custer, Gordon & Rees, LLP
- Nancy Greenan Hamill, Law Office of Nancy Greenan Hamill
- Michael Kelly, Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P.
- Richard Kopf, The Fremont Group LLC
- William Sawyers, Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center
- James Strother, Wells Fargo Bank
For more information about how you can join the 2010-2011 Koko Challenge please contact Danielle Cohen (415)808-4322 or dcohen@uwba.org.
Read more about last year’s Koko Challenge.
